Gallery Feed - Alabama reality TV stars: "American Idol" - Photos from Birminghamhttp://photos.al.com/4461/gallery/alabama_reality_tv_stars_american_idol_/atom.xml2015-08-02T22:30:34ZMovable Type Enterprise 4.29-advanceRuben Studdard - "American Idol" (2003)tag:photos.al.com,2013:/birmingham-news//4461.100130852013-02-17T21:24:40Z2013-02-17T21:24:40ZRuben Studdard - "American Idol" (2003). The Birmingham resident inched past Clay Aiken to grab the "Idol" crown. In the process, Studdard earned the nickname "Velvet Teddy Bear" for his smooth vocal stylings and hefty physique. His coronation anthem was...mcolursohttp://connect.al.com/user/mcolurso/index.html]]>
Taylor Hicks - "American Idol" (2006), moretag:photos.al.com,2013:/birmingham-news//4461.100130862013-02-17T21:24:40Z2013-02-17T21:24:40ZTaylor Hicks - "American Idol" (2006), more. The grey-haired soul singer from Hoover stood out from the crowd, covered several pop hits and earned a devoted fan base with his shouts of "Soul Patrol!" Hicks won the contest amid a...mcolursohttp://connect.al.com/user/mcolurso/index.html]]>
Bo Bice - "American Idol" (2005), moretag:photos.al.com,2013:/birmingham-news//4461.100130722013-02-17T21:24:38Z2013-02-17T21:24:38ZBo Bice - "American Idol" (2005), more. The long-haired singer-songwriter, a Huntsville native and former Helena resident, impressed judges with his quiet confidence and soulful vocals. Bice was runner-up that year, coming in second to Carrie Underwood. In 2010, he...mcolursohttp://connect.al.com/user/mcolurso/index.html]]>
Diana DeGarmo - "American Idol" (2004), moretag:photos.al.com,2013:/birmingham-news//4461.100130742013-02-17T21:24:38Z2013-02-17T21:24:38ZDiana DeGarmo - "American Idol" (2004), more. The Birmingham native earned fans with her big voice and perky personality, but lost in the final round to Fantasia Barrino. DeGarmo came to national attention on "Idol," but already had roots in...mcolursohttp://connect.al.com/user/mcolurso/index.html]]>
Paul McDonald - "American Idol" (2011)tag:photos.al.com,2013:/birmingham-news//4461.100130842013-02-17T21:24:39Z2013-02-17T21:24:39ZPaul McDonald - "American Idol" (2011). The Opelika native, a graduate of Huntsville High School, used his raspy voice and stage experience to impress judges and viewers. McDonald, a veteran of the Southeast nightclub scene, made the leap to national...mcolursohttp://connect.al.com/user/mcolurso/index.html]]>
Garrett Nichols - "American Idol" (2014)tag:photos.al.com,2014:/birmingham-news/4461.121060492014-01-31T20:38:29Z2014-01-31T20:38:29ZGarrett Nichols - "American Idol" (2014). Nichols, from Tuscaloosa, auditioned on the "Idol" bus when it stopped in his hometown. He later auditioned for the show's judges in Salt Lake City and earned a golden ticket to Hollywood. (Fox photo)...mcolursohttp://connect.al.com/user/mcolurso/index.html]]>
Jess Meuse - "American Idol" (2014)tag:photos.al.com,2014:/birmingham-news/4461.121060522014-01-31T20:38:29Z2014-01-31T20:38:29ZJess Meuse - "American Idol" (2014). Meuse, from Slapout, auditioned in Atlanta with her original song, "Blue-Eyed Lie." She impressed all three judges and received a golden ticket to Hollywood. (Fox photo)...mcolursohttp://connect.al.com/user/mcolurso/index.html]]>
Eddie Soltys - "American Idol" (2014)tag:photos.al.com,2014:/birmingham-news/4461.121060462014-01-31T20:38:28Z2014-01-31T20:38:28ZEddie Soltys - "American Idol" (2014). Soltys, from Birmingham, auditioned in Atlanta and received a golden ticket to Hollywood. Soltys also made a bet with judge Harry Connick Jr., saying he would surprise Connick and win the "Idol" crown for...mcolursohttp://connect.al.com/user/mcolurso/index.html]]>
Dexter Roberts - "American Idol" (2014)tag:photos.al.com,2014:/birmingham-news/4461.121060452014-01-31T20:38:28Z2014-01-31T20:38:28ZDexter Roberts - "American Idol" (2014). Roberts, from Fayette, auditioned on the "Idol" bus when it stopped in Tuscaloosa. He faced the judges in Salt Lake City and won them over. Result: a golden ticket to Hollywood. (Fox photo)...mcolursohttp://connect.al.com/user/mcolurso/index.html]]>
C.J. Harris - "American Idol" (2014)tag:photos.al.com,2014:/birmingham-news/4461.121060442014-01-31T20:38:27Z2014-01-31T20:38:27ZC.J. Harris - "American Idol" (2014). The country singer from Jasper initially auditioned in Tuscaloosa on the "Idol" bus, then met the judges during auditions in Salt Lake City. They praised his sincerity and passion, awarding Harris a golden ticket...mcolursohttp://connect.al.com/user/mcolurso/index.html]]>
Casey Thrasher - "American Idol" (2014)tag:photos.al.com,2014:/birmingham-news/4461.121060422014-01-31T20:38:27Z2014-01-31T20:38:27ZCasey Thrasher - "American Idol" (2014). Thrasher, from Tuscaloosa, auditioned on the "Idol" bus and later performed for the judges in Salt Lake City. His backstory, as the hard-working father of two young children, impressed them as much as his...mcolursohttp://connect.al.com/user/mcolurso/index.html]]>
Kevin Harris - "American Idol" (2013)tag:photos.al.com,2013:/birmingham-news//4461.100835772013-02-27T23:08:34Z2013-02-27T23:08:34ZKevin Harris - "American Idol" (2013). The Montgomery native made the top 40. Harris earned the nickname "Butter" from judge Randy Jackson, who admired Harris' smooth vocals during an audition in San Antonio. He was eliminated during a "sudden death"...mcolursohttp://connect.al.com/user/mcolurso/index.html]]>
Lauren Elizabeth Turner - "American Idol" (2011)tag:photos.al.com,2013:/birmingham-news//4461.100132192013-02-17T21:41:05Z2013-02-17T21:41:05ZLauren Elizabeth Turner - "American Idol" (2011). The former Mobile resident sang her way to the top 24, but was cut when the contestant pool was narrowed to 10. She impressed the judges, including Randy Jackson, who said he was...mcolursohttp://connect.al.com/user/mcolurso/index.html]]>
Wade Brown - "American Idol" (2010), moretag:photos.al.com,2013:/birmingham-news//4461.100130872013-02-17T21:24:40Z2013-02-17T21:24:40ZWade Brown - "American Idol" (2010), more. The singer from Harvest auditioned for "Idol" in 2010 and earned a golden ticket to Hollywood. He never advanced to the live shows. But Brown wasn't through with reality TV. He earned a...mcolursohttp://connect.al.com/user/mcolurso/index.html]]>
Kristi Quinnie - "American Idol" (2010)tag:photos.al.com,2013:/birmingham-news//4461.100130792013-02-17T21:24:39Z2013-02-17T21:24:39ZKristi Quinnie - "American Idol" (2010). The gospel singer from Fairfield auditioned in Orlando and earned a golden ticket. She was cut during the Hollywood round, and didn’t receive screen time on the show. (Fox photo)...mcolursohttp://connect.al.com/user/mcolurso/index.html]]>
Natalie Moon - "American Idol" (2011)tag:photos.al.com,2013:/birmingham-news//4461.100130832013-02-17T21:24:39Z2013-02-17T21:24:39ZNatalie Moon - "American Idol" (2011). The Helena resident, a folk-pop singer-songwriter and worship leader at Riverchase United Methodist Church, auditioned in New Orleans and received a golden ticket to Hollywood. "I think I have a different style voice than...mcolursohttp://connect.al.com/user/mcolurso/index.html]]>
Leroy Wells - "American Idol" (2005)tag:photos.al.com,2013:/birmingham-news//4461.100130812013-02-17T21:24:39Z2013-02-17T21:24:39ZLeroy Wells - "American Idol" (2005). The Grand Bay resident baffled judges by removing his metal teeth caps and answering questions in garbled “krunk-speak.” He later watched his TV audition from a Mobile jail. (Fox photo)...mcolursohttp://connect.al.com/user/mcolurso/index.html]]>
La'Nae Rutledge - "American Idol" (2010)tag:photos.al.com,2013:/birmingham-news//4461.100130802013-02-17T21:24:39Z2013-02-17T21:24:39ZLa'Nae Rutledge - "American Idol" (2010). The Birmingham woman, a bubbly waitress, made it through a cattle-call audition in Nashville, according to USA Today. But Rutledge had two more cuts before the Hollywood round, and was not heard from again...mcolursohttp://connect.al.com/user/mcolurso/index.html]]>
Jesse Hamilton - "American Idol" (2010)tag:photos.al.com,2013:/birmingham-news//4461.100130782013-02-17T21:24:38Z2013-02-17T21:24:38ZJesse Hamilton - "American Idol" (2010). The Anniston welder didn't fare well with his timid, off-key cover of Garth Brooks' "The River." Hamilton was greeted with confusion, laughter and snark from the judges, who pegged this as a gag audition....mcolursohttp://connect.al.com/user/mcolurso/index.html]]>
Brandon Cox - "American Idol" 2012tag:photos.al.com,2013:/birmingham-news//4461.100130732013-02-17T21:24:38Z2013-02-17T21:24:38ZBrandon Cox - "American Idol" 2012. The Wetumpka singer earned a golden ticket after auditioning with Lady Gaga’s “Edge of Glory” and Adele’s “Rollin in the Deep." He even received a "Good job, mate," from executive producer Nigel Lythgoe. But...mcolursohttp://connect.al.com/user/mcolurso/index.html]]>